“Feature film (a musical!) shot in Virginia on HD looking for skilled editor to take rough cut to final product for film festivals, etc.  Great opportunity to cut a local feature. Paid gig. Send email with link to demo reel and resume to tom@sapfilms.com.”

Contact Tom at SAP FILMS to respond!

Another fine opportunity brought to you by – DCFCPUG

The Third Babelgum Online Film Festival Calls for Entries, with Independent Filmmaker Network Shooting People.

Online and Mobile Audience and International Jury to Award Cash Prizes in Four Categories.

Short Film Submissions Begin March 11th and run through March 28th.LONDON / NEW YORK (March 11, 2010) – In response to the success of its previous editions helmed by Oscar-nominated director Spike Lee, Chairman Emeritus of the Jury, independent web and mobile video content platform Babelgum is pleased to announce the call for entries for the 3rd Babelgum Online Film Festival (BOFF3).

This year’s BOFF will feature simultaneous mobile and online viewing and voting by the global public in four categories. As part of the festival, Stolichnaya Vodka will present the inaugural Stoli Vanguard Award.

Acclaimed filmmakers and industry experts including writer/director Richard Linklater (Before Sunrise, The School of Rock, Me and Orson Welles), writer/director Sally Potter (Orlando, Yes, RAGE), director/producer Annie Sundberg (The Trials of Darryl Hunt, The Devil Came on Horseback, Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work), producer Eric Watson (Pi, Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain), and director/curator Jason Wishnow (Oedipus, Director of Film & Video, TED), will be among those serving as Jurors for the Festival. Awards will be presented in four categories with additional Jury members to be announced soon.

The Babelgum Online Film Festival was created to celebrate and reward the very best in international independent short filmmaking by providing exposure and cash awards. With its non-restrictive submission guidelines and international visibility, the Festival supports and encourages emerging talent and continues to provide a unique venue for filmmakers to showcase their craft.

For this year’s edition, Babelgum has partnered with Shooting People, the world’s largest network of independent filmmakers, to reach its 35,000+ global membership and the two million plus constituents of its partner organizations.

The Stoli Vanguard and BOFF3 Award Winners will be announced at a screening and cocktail reception in New York City in late April.

Karol Martesko-Fenster, SVP & General Manager of Babelgum’s Film Division, stated “The first two editions of the Babelgum Online Film Festival made an impressive debut with filmmakers, the entertainment community, and audience members around the world. We are very excited to be launching the 3rd edition of BOFF and are honored that Stolichnaya Vodka has demonstrated its commitment to independent film by agreeing to partner with us. We are looking forward to highlighting the deserving work of filmmakers around the globe including those in Shooting People’s extensive professional community”.

From London, James Mullighan, Shooting People’s Creative Director, said: “Shooting People has greatly admired the opportunities offered to undiscovered independent filmmaking talent by the Babelgum Online Film Festival’s previous two editions. As such, we are delighted to be so heavily involved with the third edition of BOFF, and will be exhorting our members to enter, and get amongst the generous prizes”.

Entries for BOFF3 will fall under four categories, with no restrictions on production year or whether the film has been previously distributed or entered into any offline or online film festival. Films with running times up to 15 minutes are eligible:

• Animation – includes stop-motion, anime, hand-drawn, CGI, paper-cut, or any other animation form (five minutes maximum);
• Narrative – includes story-based, fictional live-action films in any genre (15 minutes maximum);
• Non-narrative – includes live-action artists’ film and video (five minutes maximum); and
• Documentary – includes observational, presenter-led, narrated, real-life storytelling (15 minutes maximum).

The Babelgum Online Film Festival will award the following prizes:

• The Stoli Emerging Filmmaker Award will be presented to new or emerging filmmakers who display clear and outstanding achievement through direction, animation, writing, and/or camerawork in any of the four categories.
• The Audience Awards will be given to an outstanding film in each category receiving the highest number of votes determined solely by the voting totals from the global online and mobile Babelgum audience.
• The Best Viral Short Award will be given to an outstanding film with ‘viral’ potential and a running time of under five minutes. The winner will receive a ,000 cash award.
• The Jury Awards will be given to an outstanding film in each of the four categories, determined by members of the Jury. Four first-place winners will receive a ,000 cash award and four second-place winners will receive a ,000 cash award.
• The Grand Jury Award will be given to an outstanding film in any category, chosen by members of the Jury. The winner will receive a ,000 cash award.

Submissions will be accepted starting today until 11:59 PM GMT on March 28th, 2010.

Further information about the submission specifications and regulations, including deadlines for viewing and voting, are available here.

END

==============================================

About Stolichnaya Stolichnaya is a premium Russian vodka, known for its award winning flavor, impeccable clarity and sleek, sensual undertones. Long considered a trailblazer in the vodka industry, Stolichnaya is a brand constantly on the verge. Stolichnaya was the first imported Russian vodka, the first to launch flavored line extensions and one of the first to debut a super-premium offering. The Stolichnaya portfolio includes Stolichnaya Red, Stolichnaya Blue, the super-premium Stolichnaya Gold and the ultra-premium elit by Stolichnaya. Stolichnaya’s naturally flavored vodka portfolio currently includes Ohranj, Blueberi, Razberi, Vanil, Citros, Cranberi, Peachik, Strasberi, Blakberi and Gala Applik.

About Shooting People Shooting People is the world’s largest networking organization dedicated to the support and promotion of independent filmmaking. Over 35,000 members in the UK and US share tips recommendations and news using Shooting People’s website, the nine Daily Bulletins to get their films cast and crewed, and individual Member Profiles to exhibit themselves and their work to their peers, the industry and the world. Founded in 1998 by filmmakers Jess Search and Cath le Couteur, Shooting People’s patrons include Mike Figgis (Founder Patron), Sally Potter, Morgan Spurlock, Christine Vachon, Michael Nyman, Penny Woolcock and Jason Solomons.

About Babelgum Babelgum is an integrated web and mobile video content platform free for users and supported by advertising available on-demand to a global audience. Babelgum Mobile is an original application currently available in the United States, the UK, Italy, Germany, France, Spain, and soon other countries which brings regionally tailored programming to smart phones – at present iPhone 3G, iPod Touch, Google Android G-Phones 1 and 2, Nokia (N96, N95 and 6210) – via 3G and WiFi. (babelgum.com/mobile).

Babelgum’s programming is comprised of exclusive original productions as well as independent and mainstream titles. Babelgum’s content partners include, among others, EMI, Sony Music, The New York Times, PBS, BBC, VBS, Lonely Planet, Coolhunting, National Geographic, Funny or Die, T5M, Shine Limited, Cinetic Rights Management, Content Republic, Gong Anime, WorkBook Project, Reverse Shot, Shooting People, Film Independent, Power to the Pixel, and the Spirit Awards as well as the Encounters, Los Angeles, and Hamptons film festivals. The company has also set up a series of online contests to nurture independent film, music, and art talent: the Babelgum Online Film Festival, the Babelgum Music Video Awards, and the Babelgum Metropolis Art Prize, chaired respectively by Spike Lee (BOFF1 &2), Michel Gondry, and Isabella Rossellini. Babelgum is an independent and privately held company with offices in the United States, the UK, and Italy.

For further information contact:

Andrea Giannotti

Babelgum Media Relations Director

UK +44 7825 892 640

andrea.giannotti@babelgum.com

More info at DCIFF.

Official selection for 2010 – Final Schedule

One of the feature films DCFCPUG had an interest in is screening at the festival (Ghosts Don’t Exist) (Run time: 100 minutes).

Congrats to 19W for being selected to the festival this year!

A popular ghost hunter losing faith in what he believes is about to retire, but decides to take one last case when a potential client guarantees he’ll provide the proof he’s been looking for. Upon arriving at the home, the client announces that he will make good on the promise by contacting them himself from the beyond — then shoots himself in front of them.

Cast and Crew:
Director/Screenwriter/Producer:  Eric Espejo

Cast:
Devon Burt
Frederick Cowie
Josh Davidson
Phillip Roebuck

Cinematographer: Kunitaro Ohi
Music Director: James Sale

The Washington DC 48 Hour Film Project

Returning in 2010

The 48 Hour Film Project will return to DC from April 30th to May 2nd, 2010. Filmmakers from all over the DC area will compete to see who can make the best short film in only 48 hours. The winning film will go up against films from around the world for the title “Best 48 Hour Film of 2010″.

Sign up for the DC mailing list and we will inform you when more information is available.

DC 48HFP Links

• Sign up for the DC mailing list
• Join a DC team
• Email Mark Ruppert, DC Producer of the 48HFP
• Watch films from DC using our Film Catalogue and 48.tv
• See what’s playing on 48.tv

Let the fun begin….

VIRGINIA FESTIVALS AND SCREENINGS

Virginia and the capital region have a thriving film community which is exemplified by the number and variety of film festivals and screening opportunities held throughout the state. From the newest films to the golden age of Hollywood, all aspects of the industry can be seen and experienced.

These are a few of the Festivals and screening series that take place in Virginia each year. Please check the Virginia Film Office website,www.film.virginia.org for up-to-date details on these and other film-related events in Virginia.

48-Hour Film Project: Summer in Richmond and Hampton Roads. Teams of filmmakers create original short films in two days which are shown at a screening. Best films are selected for a national competition.

Arthouse Film Festival: October in Richmond. Showcasing short films by Virginia’s best filmmakers.

Bicycle Film Festival: July in Richmond.  A festival that celebrates the bicycle through music, art, and film. Now in its ninth year the festival is held in 39 cities worldwide.
ChinaFest: February in Richmond. Films and cultural activities to explore themes of diversity, humanity, and cross-cultural human understanding.

DC Independent Film Festival: March in Washington, DC. A wide array of independent films, including some by local filmmakers. Festival includes films, discussions with filmmakers, and seminars. Submissions are accepted.

The Final Cut Showcase: October in Charlottesville (at UVA). A non-competitive exhibition of films made by students that currently attend or have previously attended the University of Virginia.

Flicker: All year – Richmond. A bi-monthly screening in Richmond of shorts by local filmmakers. Other film related events throughout the year.
French Film Festival: March in Richmond. The newest French films presented by their award-winning actors and directors.  Sponsored by VCU and University of Richmond.

James River Film Festival: April in Richmond. This festival features ground-breaking work by independent media artists, workshops, screenings, seminars, and a juried competition each year.

Mid-Atlantic Black Film Festival:  October in Hampton Roads. An annual juried competition and showcase for independent filmmakers from all over the world presented by the Crispus Attucks Cultural Center. Short and student film competitions, premieres, international cinema, tributes, and educational workshops facilitated by leading figures in the film industry.
Naro Cinema: All-year in Norfolk. Numerous screenings of unusual films, including the “First Look Film Series,” a Sunday morning series featuring an advance screening of the latest offering from a roster of prominent independent, foreign, and up-and-coming filmmakers.

The Northern Virginia Film Festival: In October, a festival for young filmmakers who wish to develop their skills and showcase their talents.

Project Resolution: Monthly screenings of interesting and unusual short and longer films in at the Firehouse Theatre in Richmond, produced by Yellow House. Audience interaction with the filmmaker, unpredictable films, and free popcorn.
Rappahannock Independent Film Festival: September in Fredericksburg. An annual event dedicated to promoting excellence in independent filmmaking.

Redemptive Film Festival: October in Virginia Beach. An international festival that provides a forum for filmmakers to showcase their work on themes that depict the redemptive purposes of God.

Rosebud Film and Video Festival: Summer- Dates to be announced, in Arlington. Founded to promote the rich and diverse independent film and video community in Virginia, DC, and Maryland.

Slapsticon: July in Arlington. A four-day, international film festival dedicated to classic motion picture comedy! Film lovers from around the world are invited to attend screenings of rare shorts and selected feature-length comedies.

Veneration Film Festival: February in Newport News. Explores redemptive themes through film in order to promote the art of storytelling, provide exposure and education for aspiring filmmakers, and build community on the Virginia Peninsula.

Virginia Festival of Jewish Film: A festival of Jewish cinema held annually in Norfolk in January.

Virginia Film Festival: Fall in Charlottesville. An eclectic mix of films, with discussions by filmmakers and experts. Year-round screenings of new and unusual films.

Virginia Independent Film Festival: Early Spring in Richmond. This festival features the finalists in the Virginia Film Competition in three categories: Feature films, shorts, and documentaries, and is sponsored by the Virginia Film Office.

Williamsburg Film Festival: March in Williamsburg. A festival honoring the Golden Age of Hollywood

One of our members, Charlotte (“Char”) Rinderknecht and her business partner/husband, Bill own and operate the entertainment production studio, STUDIO KINATE in Northern Virginia. We were invited to share their special day today, at one of this area’s most authentic Irish Pub and Restaurant, The Auld Shebeen, in Old Town Fairfax, VA.

A few weeks ago, Char was interviewed by The Washington Post. The article was published today (1/24/2010), (online 1/23/2010) so today was a celebration of getting recognition from The Post on her achievements to date. Read the article linked above and congratulate her when she comes to visit us this summer as our featured guest speaker for July 2010.

---

Studio Kinate recently won some top Animation Awards for their animated short,”Pete’s Odydessy”.  A sample clip from the short is below with other editons also available on YouTube.

Pete’s Odydessy was produced with a team of artists, led by former Director of the Disney Institute, Larry Lauria. Larry currently runs the Larry’s Toon Institute.

---

On the back of Char Rinderknecht’s business cards is the Walt Disney quote:

“It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.”

Today’s lunch meeting demonstrated again that this region is rich with talent, vision and kindred spirits. Rekindling DCFCPUG, some would say, is a similar challenge (doing the impossible…) but with a focused approach to build a working community of digital artists, we can all ride on the successes of each others’ endeavors and give back to one another so we grow as a family. For example, Char and DCFCPUG intersected at our first CDIA Georgetown Screenwriter’s Event in April 2009, featuring Jim Mercurio.  Char and I have been leveraging the social media technologies to stay in touch and help each other.  At today’s meeting, I shared how DCFCPUG partners with our corporate sponsors which now will allow her to maximize her resources and create a shared benefit to create a win-win scenario.

---

DCFCPUG and Studio Kinate are now exploring ways to grow an ANIMATION TBUG (ToomBoom)  microsite in Northern Virginia, leveraging our relationship we are building with ToomBoom.  Thanks to the generosity of  the VP, Marketing and Communications, Karina Bessoudo at ToomBoom for the interest in DCFCPUG.  ToomBoom is a sponsor of the DCFCPUG and are fans of their Storyboard Pro and Animate Pro software applications. Char and I both agree, that the art of storytelling is at the heart of what we do, whether it be on Apple’s Final Cut Studio, or ToomBoom’s Storyboard Pro and Animate Pro.  We all use the right tool for the job to get the story told .  Char is a fan of DCFCPUG and we appreciate her telling everyone in her circle of influence about the world of Final Cut Studio and its tie in with the creative 2D animation world.

---

I  appreciate Char and Bill’s contributions to putting American animators to work and her involvement in the Tyson Animation Program at the Cicely Tyson School of Performing and Fine Arts in East Orange, New Jersey. I personally am looking forward to the continued collaboration with Char, Bill, and Larry.  We (DCFCPUG) will get a shot at assisting her toward her dream, while giving DCFCPUG members opportunities to get involved in the production workflow.  If you are interested in participating, let me know, as I will be discussing an upcoming project where we will be potentially given an opportunity to shoot, edit, produce training videos for Larry Lauria.  Leave a comment or email me if you are interested in getting involved.

Here’s to a successful 2010!

---

Warm regards,